AP Biology: Curricular Requirements

Students and teachers use a recently published (within the last 10 years) college-level biology textbook.

The course is structured around the enduring understandings within the big ideas as described in the AP Biology Curriculum Framework.

Students have opportunities to connect the AP Biology enduring understandings within each of the AP Biology big ideas to at least one other AP Biology big idea.

Students are provided with opportunities to meet the learning objectives in the AP Biology Curriculum Framework within each of the big ideas. These opportunities must occur in addition to the laboratory investigations.

The course provides students with opportunities to connect their biological and scientific knowledge to major social issues (e.g., concerns, technological advances, innovations) to help them become scientifically literate citizens.

The student-directed laboratory investigations used throughout the course allow students to apply the seven science practices defined in the AP Biology Curriculum Framework and include at least two lab experiences in each of the four big ideas.

Students are provided the opportunity to engage in investigative laboratory work integrated throughout the course for a minimum of 25% of instructional time.

The course provides opportunities for students to develop and record evidence of their verbal, written and graphic communication skills through laboratory reports, summaries of literature or scientific investigations, and oral, written, or graphic presentations.

Resource Requirements

The school ensures that each student has a college-level biology textbook (supplemented when necessary to meet the curricular requirements) for individual use inside and outside of the classroom.

The school ensures that the teacher has a copy of the most recent edition of a college-level biology textbook or other appropriate materials for his or her consultation.

The school ensures that each student has access to the AP Biology Investigative Labs: an Inquiry Based Approach or other inquiry based and student-directed lab activities that meet the objectives of those listed in the AP Biology Curriculum Framework.

The school ensures that students have access to scientific equipment/materials, all necessary resources, and adequate time to conduct, college-level biology laboratory investigations that meet the objectives as outlined in the AP Biology Curriculum Framework and/or other inquiry based and student-directed lab activities that are listed in teacher's course syllabus.